A Maze’N Facts about mazes!
For thousands of years, humans have been fascinated by mazes and labyrinths: We’ve built them, told stories about them, created games and puzzles around them, and even trained animals to solve them. From the mythological labyrinths of Ancient Greece to the massive corn mazes of the 21st century, here are a few facts about puzzles of the past and present.
Labyrinths!
Before the maze they were known as labyrinths and were first created not to confuse but to send visitors on a spiritual journey. They were designed to be serene and introspective, and followed a single path. In Germany, for instance, young men would walk through a labyrinth as part of their initiation into adulthood.
The first recorded labyrinth dates back to the 5th century in Egypt.
Ancient Greek historian Herodotus claimed to have visited the Egyptian labyrinth, and described it as a winding building, made up of thousands of rooms, many of which were underground and held the tombs of Egyptian kings.
The earliest hedge mazes were built to entertain royalty!
Starting in the 16th century, European royalty began building elaborate hedge mazes on their property. The mazes were meant to entertain.
Scientists have been using mazes to study animal psychology since 1882
In 1882, polymath John Lubbock started designing mazes to study the navigational skills of insects. He built mazes and puzzles out of household items, and observed the way ants made their way around them. He published the results in his book Ants, Bees, and Wasps.
The largest corn maze ever created spanned 60 acres!
In 2014, visitors to Cool Patch Pumpkins in Dixon, California got to explore the sprawling, looping temporary maze, which the Guinness Book of World Records confirmed was the largest ever created. It was so big visitors called 911 after getting lost in it. See the ABC story here
https://abcnews.go.com/US/people-lost-worlds-biggest-corn-maze-called-911/story?id=26868458
But what about our mazes located on Phillip Island?
The outdoor timber maze at A Maze’N Things consists of
1.99km of passages
21,000 linear metres of timber
72,000 nails
840 bolts and screws
https://www.amazenthings.com.au/attractions/the-maze/
Our mirror maze
How big do you think our mirror maze is?
Check out one of our staff members trying to find her way through the maze!
https://www.facebook.com/AMazeNThings.PhillipIsland/videos/344224372866769/
Did you know to solve simple mazes, try the “Right Hand Rule”
In most simply constructed mazes, all of the walls are connected to the outer boundary of the maze—which means, trailing your hand along the wall when you start the maze will help you avoid getting lost in unconnected passageways.
Next time you come to Phillip Island visit us here at A Maze’N Things and try this out!
